72 



CUTTAGE. 



triangular portions are inserted in the soil a half inch or so, 

 the cutting standing erect or nearly so. Roots form at the 

 base or point, and a young plant springs from the same 

 point (Fig. 80). 



The gloxinia and others of its kin propagate by leaves, 

 but instead of a young\ plant arising directly from the cut- 

 ting, a little tuber forms upon the free end of the petiole 

 (Fig. 81), and this tuber is dried off and finally planted the 

 same as a mature tuber. Most gardeners prefer to cut the 

 leaf-stalk shorter than shown in the cut. 



Leaf cuttings are handled in the same manner as soft 

 stem-cuttings, so far as temperature and moisture are con- 

 cerned. There are comparatively few species in which they 

 form the most available means of multiplication. In some 

 cases, variegation will not be reproduced by the rooted leaf. 

 This is true in the ivy-leaved geranium L' Elegante ; a good 

 plant can be obtained, but it reverts to the plain-leaved type, 



Leaf cutting of gloxinia 



